Potential of using Alfa grass fibers (Stipa Tenacissima L.) to remove Pb, Cu, and Zn from an aqueous solution.

This study used alfa grass fibres as a natural low-cost adsorbent to remove lead, copper, and zinc ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was characterized by FTIR, SEM, BET surface area, ATG, and XRD techniques. The effects of pH, contact time, initial metal concentration, and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption efficiency were evaluated in batch experiments. The results showed that the adsorption of all metals was fast, and optimal removal efficiency was achieved within 25 min of contact time using 5000 mg/L of Alfa fibres at pH 6.3. The adsorption selectivity order was Pb > Cu > Zn with Pb removal efficiencies up to 97.6%. The adsorption kinetics were best explained by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The experimental adsorption data fitted very well with the Langmuir isotherm model, and less well with the Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacities were respectively 14.492, 11.904, and 8.695 mg/g for Pb, Cu, and Zn. The results of this study indicated that Alfa fibres could be used as effective adsorbent for the removal of Pb, Cu, and Zn from aqueous solutions.